Carlson Wagonlit Rolls Out Big Idea for Small, Mid-Size European Firms

An end-to-end “travel-management solution” created to meet the specific needs of small and mid-size enterprises — with or without a managed travel program, Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s CWT Connect Now is being rolled out to the European market.

As reviews of the new online booking tool come in and are tabulated, the question arises: Will it play in Peoria? For that matter, do European companies really need another system geared toward helping them get a handle on their travel expenditures?

The online booking tool is now available in Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, and is slated to roll out shortly in Austria, Germany and Italy. By June, it will also be available in Sweden and Switzerland.

According to Floyd Widener, CWT vice president — sales and global program management for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), CWT Connect Now is a natural fit not only for small and mid-sized companies but also “for those with a less-structured approach. The online booking tools used by large companies… are neither cost-effective nor appropriate for the mid-market,” he claimed, adding: “this segment is extremely diverse and complex to service, so a very different solution is needed.”

As outlined by CWT, features and functionalities of the new system are designed to incorporate elements most important to small and mid-sized travel (management) operations. Whether utilized for simple online transactions or more complex travel requests necessitating off-line capabilities, CWT Connect Now reportedly provides user-friendly access to a wide range of air, hotel, rail and car-rental content… as well as multiple payment, ticketing, invoicing and itinerary options.

The system is designed to allow companies with managed travel programs to integrate their travel policy in order to drive greater compliance while enabling travelers to  create and manage their (own) profiles for enhanced service at the time of booking.

Additionally, customer service and support capabilities include: set-up and implementation; help-desk assistance; performance monitoring and reporting; off-line travel services;  24/7 emergency assistance for travelers; and travel program management and optimization.

To help companies increase savings and optimize their travel spend, CWT Connect Now displays multiple fares and rates. The new offering runs on all three major GDS Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and displays low-cost-carrier content as well.

CWT-negotiated rates for air transportation and hotels, clients’ own negotiated rates, and lowest available rates and fares are systematically displayed.

Operationally speaking, companies with a managed travel program can  access CWT Connect Now through a dedicated, proprietary website tailored to their specific needs, while firms lacking a managed travel program are instructed to access the system via the country-specific CWT website where they’re doing business.

Next week: Feedback from the field (agent users and competitors).